Framing Nursing Practice Within a Forensic Outpatient Service

Therapeutic alliance in mental health nursing: an evolutionary concept analysis

The concept of therapeutic alliance is relevant in contemporary mental health care, as the consumer-led recovery movement promotes the development of collaborative relationships, and is focussed on the consumer's individual concept of wellbeing. An evolutionary concept analysis was undertaken to establish a contemporary interpretation of therapeutic alliance for mental health nursing. The CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles (n = 322), with 52 deemed appropriate for analysis. Therapeutic alliance is characterised by mutual partnerships between nurses and consumers, and is dependent on a humanistic healthcare culture. Therapeutic alliance is associated with enhanced consumer outcomes and experiences with care.

Risk Assessment of Forensic Patients Nurses' Role

One of the unique roles of forensic nurses is to conduct risk assessments. Establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship helps forensic nurses perform accurate and useful risk assessments. Accurate risk assessments can facilitate formulation of individualized risk management plans, designed to meet patients' needs and ensure public safety. The importance of forensic nurses' knowledge and application of appropriate communication and proper documentation cannot be overemphasized.

The Balancing Act Collaboration Between Frontline Forensic Staff and Hospital Administration

1. Flexibility, creativity, and consistency are critical characteristics for both frontline staff and administrators in the delivery of treatment and care for complex forensic patients who may be difficult to manage. 2. Through collaborative efforts and ongoing communication, plans can be identified and implemented that enhance patient and staff safety and facilitate positive behavioral and rehabilitation outcomes for patients. 3. Effective partnerships among frontline staff, administration, patients, their families, labor unions, and communities contribute significantly to the effective resolution of conflicts and dilemmas in the provision of holistic care to forensic patients.